Tanzania Football Federation turned down the chance to prepare for Algeria in Egypt in favour of a heavily-finance trip to South Africa instead,KingFut can exclusively reveal.

The Tanzania FF, headed by Jamal Malnizi turned down a camp provided by a source in Egypt in favour of a trip to South Africa ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

A member of the Egyptian FA said: “The Egyptian FA were shocked after Tanzania canceled a training camp in Egypt. They had already considered a friendly between Tanzania’s national team and Egypt’s U-23 national team.”

It was not only the Olympic team that was approached but apparently some top Egyptian Premier League clubs.

“Zamalek and ENPPI had also been approached by an Egyptian-based agent to help Tanzania prepare for a series of training matches,” the source added.

The source also confirmed Egyptian officials were in full cooperation to help Tanzania in every way possible due to rivalry between Egypt and Algeria, in addition to the chance of them falling in the same qualifying group.

Not only that, but fans were also willing to attend Tanzania training sessions.

“Tanzania offered no formal explanation to the Egyptian Football Association on their cancellation.

There was large outrage on Social Media by Tanzania fans, blaming Tanzani FF president Jamal Malnizi on corruption.

“The head of state had banned foreign travel of some select government officials, and it seems the South African trip was mentioned by fans as one of the places the FA siphoned money from,” the source revealed.

“South Africa’s trip did not make sense as Algeria are different on all fronts, attitude, culture, style of football so a trip to Egypt was ideal. It’s common sense really,” he continued.

When asked if this was a case of corruption, the source confirmed: “Yes, someone may have used the Tanzania national team to make money, at the expense of patriotism.

“Kenya/Chad arrive hours to the match. But didn’t lose with such big margins even though Tanzania had arrived 72 hours prior,” he concluded.

Tanzani had come on with a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the qualifiers but succummbed to a stunning 7-0 loss in Algeria to end their hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Story Credit – Kingfut.com

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com